Summer Stories: Built to Last
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Introduction
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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Jesus’ teachings often were expressed through the telling of stories, particularly parables.
Parables utilized everyday experiences to teach about God’s Kingdom (Kingdom truth).
The parables are not simply information about the kingdom, but are part of the means of bringing it to birth.
N. T. Wright
Jesus invites us to be a part of his kingdom and live within his rule, favor, and authority.
In our summer series, we are taking a closer look at some of Jesus’ parables—to learn about Kingdom truth.
Today, we are looking at the parable of building a house. I am entitling this message: “Built to Last.”
We find this parable in Luke 6:46-49.
Passage
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:
48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Transition
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Jesus wants to get our attention to the seriousness of what it means to be his follower.
And he begins with:
1. Challenge of Confession
1. Challenge of Confession
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
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It is possible for a disconnect between professing faith in Jesus with words and living out His teachings in daily life.
To profess a faith in Jesus without bearing fruit (evidence) of that faith may be an indicator of a false disciple.
Following Christ is not just about words, it is also about action.
The question we need to ask ourselves is whether we are merely calling Jesus 'Lord' or truly recognizing His lordship by applying His words?
In the Gospel of Matthew, we get a more detailed reaction of Jesus.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
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This point lays the groundwork for understanding why obedience is central to a solid faith foundation.
In other words, our confession of faith needs to be matched with obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Transition
Secondly, Jesus calls us to:
2. Choose to Act
2. Choose to Act
47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:
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God has given humanity a choice—to chose to be with Jesus or to reject Jesus.
Everyone who comes to me…
Jesus invites us to come to him.
Matthew 11:28–30 “28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””
But there is also a sense of choice. We choose whether or not to come to Jesus.
Joshua 24:15 “15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.””
But there is more. It’s not just everyone who comes to Jesus, he also says:
Everyone who hears my words…
Listening to someone teach about God was an important part of the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day.
It was not just to listen for the sake of listening—but listening to understand.
Mark 1:22 “22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”
People were captivated, emotionally moved by what Jesus taught.
But there is more. It’s not just everyone who comes to Jesus, and it’s not just everyone who hears his words, he also says:
Everyone who does my words…
The words and miracles of Jesus was not for entertainment—it was a call to action.
1 John 5:2 “2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.”
Approaching Jesus and hearing His words is just the beginning.
These actions must be coupled with practical application to truly benefit believers.
Transition
So, Jesus illustrates this kingdom truth (hearing and doing) with a story and a call to:
3. Construct Wisely
3. Construct Wisely
48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
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The imagery of a well-built house shows how foundational strength translates into real-life resilience.
Faith grounded in action withstands life's tests, much like a house on rock endures storms.
This underscores the importance of obedience in achieving spiritual durability.
In other words, the believer bears the responsibility to practice the teachings of Jesus in his or her life.
Our relationship with God is not a passive one—where God does the work and we live how ever we want to life.
Let’s put it this way. We need to live our lives firmly rooted and established in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ through the indwelling transformational work of the Holy Spirit.
Transition
I find it interesting that Jesus did not end his story on a positive note—but a serious warning:
4. Collapse of Unstable Faith
4. Collapse of Unstable Faith
49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
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The reality is that there are those who do not build upon Jesus' teachings.
Jesus warns against superficial faith that assumes safety without true adherence.
Ignoring Christ's instruction leads to fragility and collapse when adversity strikes.
And adversity will strike!
See, the common experience of the man who build his house and the rock and the man who built his house without a foundation is the storm.
Jesus said:
Matthew 5:45 “45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Conclusion
You need your life to be built to last. No cutting corners.
Trusting and obeying Jesus is essential for a life built on the solid foundation of faith, ensuring resilience in the face of adversity.
In other words,
True faith is demonstrated through obedience to Christ's commands.
Mere words are not sufficient; actions reflecting trust in God are essential for spiritual stability.
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